Effect of genotype, environment, growth stage, and foliage type on American Elderberry leaf elemental status
2015
Byers, P. L. | Thomas, Adelaide | Nathan, M.
Foliar analysis is a useful monitoring tool to evaluate the efficacy of fertilizer application for horticultural crops. Tracking seasonal variations in leaf element contents can help producers in scheduling soil and foliar nutrient applications. The American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. Canadensis) is increasingly cultivated in North America, yet information on sufficiency levels of leaf element content and seasonal variation is lacking. A study was conducted in 2006 at two locations in Missouri (USA) to measure the leaf content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B. Foliage from new shoots arising either from crowns at soil level or from above-ground woody stems was sampled from three elderberry genotypes at three growth stages (spring flush, anthesis, and fruit ripening) at two locations. Significant differences were noted among the three genotypes for all foliar elements except Cu, and between the two sites for all except Fe and Cu. Leaf element levels of Ca, Mg, and B increased significantly over the growing season, while levels of N, P, K, and Zn decreased. In several cases (N, P, K, Zn, Mn) significant differences in element content were observed between the two foliage types. A number of significant interactions were noted among the variables. Additional work is needed to further develop foliar analysis as a tool for elderberry producers.
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